Flood Follow Up: Most Michigan Members of Congress Push for Presidential Declaration of Disaster

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 19, 2014)

With over a billion dollars’ worth of damage to Michigan communities in the wake of the Aug. 11, 2014 flood, Michigan’s elected officials are reaching out to Washington for help. Earlier this week Governor Rick Snyder requested that President Barack Obama declare it a disaster, which would make Federal funding for recovery possible. On Sept. 18, nearly all of Michigan’s Members of Congress – Republicans and Democrats – sent a letter to the President backing up the request.

“The Governor declared a State of Emergency on August 13, 2014, allowing state resources to assist with the recovery. However, with severe damage of this magnitude, as described in the Governor’s request, effective recovery is beyond the capacity of state and local governments,” the letter said. “In addition, across the three-county area, damage surveys indicated that less than 20 percent of flood-damaged homes were covered by flood insurance and sewer back-up insurance.

“We urge you to make a federal disaster declaration and provide the requested assistance so that communities across Southeast Michigan can rebuild.”

The request got wide bipartisan support, but three members of the US House of Representtives did not sign: Republicans Justin Amash of Cascade Township (near Grand Rapids), Dan Benishek of Crystal Falls (Upper Peninsula), and Kerry Bentivolio of Milford (in Oakland County).

This story will be updated if any of them respond to requests for comment.

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